Two visitors to southeastern Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier died in separate accidents this week, state troopers said. An Arizona hiker, 69-year-old Thomas Casey, was found with fatal injuries after a multi-day search; a second man, a resident of Italy, disappeared after falling into a glacier stream and was not recovered at the scene.
Key Takeaways
- Both incidents occurred near the Mendenhall Glacier outside Juneau, Alaska.
- Thomas Casey, 69, was reported missing early Saturday; his phone pinged between the Thunder Mountain and Nugget Creek trails.
- Casey’s remains were located late Monday on the glacier’s west side and sent to the state medical examiner.
- An Italian visitor fell into a stream on the glacier on Tuesday and was swept into a roughly 2-foot-wide opening in the ice.
- Rescue teams deemed the second scene too hazardous to attempt an immediate recovery due to rushing water in the hole.
- Juneau Mountain Rescue, search dogs and Alaska Wildlife Troopers were involved in the search efforts.
- Officials were working to notify the second man’s next of kin as of Wednesday.
Verified Facts
Alaska Wildlife Troopers reported that Thomas Casey, a 69-year-old Arizona resident, failed to return from a planned hike the morning after he was last seen. His phone signal placed him at a remote location between the Thunder Mountain and Nugget Creek trails that ring the Mendenhall Glacier. Search teams including Juneau Mountain Rescue and canine units canvassed the area before locating his body on the glacier’s west side late Monday.
Casey’s body exhibited injuries consistent with a fall; troopers said his remains were transported to the state medical examiner’s office for identification and cause-of-death determination.
In a separate event the following day, troopers received a report that an Italian man fell into a stream on the Mendenhall Glacier. Witnesses traveling with him said the current pushed him into an approximately 2-foot-wide opening in the ice, after which he was no longer visible.
A technical ice rescue team reached the scene but found the hole filled with fast-moving water. Troopers described the conditions as too dangerous to attempt recovery at that time and said investigators would await additional leads before resuming a direct search.
Context & Impact
The Mendenhall Glacier extends about 13 miles from its ice field toward a lake at its base and is readily accessible from Juneau by road, making it a frequent destination for tourists and local hikers. Its accessibility, however, belies a hazardous environment: meltwater streams, hidden crevasses and unstable ice are common risks.
Incidents on alpine and glacial terrain often require specialized rescue teams and pose serious dangers to both casualties and first responders. The decision to delay a recovery reflects a standard safety calculus when fast water and constrained ice openings create unacceptable risk.
Local guides and park officials typically advise visitors to stay on marked routes, travel with experienced partners or guides, and carry communication and safety gear suited to glacial terrain.
“The situation was determined to be too dangerous to attempt to locate the missing man, pending any further leads.”
Alaska Wildlife Troopers dispatch
Unconfirmed
- The Italian man’s recovery status and formal cause of death had not been confirmed publicly at the time of reporting; officials were attempting next-of-kin notification.
- No public information has been released about factors such as weather at the time of each incident or the visitors’ equipment and experience levels.
Bottom Line
Two separate accidents near the popular Mendenhall Glacier resulted in at least one confirmed fatality and one apparent fatality under hazardous conditions this week. Authorities continue to investigate and emphasize that glacial terrain demands caution, proper preparation and respect for changing conditions.